As winter season come to a peak, the risk of flu and cold increases. Every guardian wants their family to be healthy and sound, and to protect them from the flue. Many pet owners also worry about their dogs and want to know about Can dogs get human colds?
If you or your family member are suffering from the flu and want your beloved pet to stay safe, then read the article for a complete guide.
Can dogs get human colds?
It’s true that dogs also prone to get colds, but they cannot get some types of illness from humans.
According to vets, many diseases caused by the germs and viruses that affect humans are different from those that affect animals.
So, the simple answer to the question Can dogs catch human colds? Is NO.
So if you’re are suffering from cold and flu, you don’t need to keep your dog at a distance from you.
Keep reading to know more about how dogs do get colds? And How to prevent your puppy from getting cold?
Why can’t dogs catch a cold from humans?
Humans and dogs both get colds but the germ and virus responsible for the illness is different for both.
The main reason is that the virus that causes human cold are not able to survive in the body of a dog or other pet.
If you observe that your pup is more attached to you, so you don’t need to separate them from you.
Note that: Dogs can get cold from other canine friends. Therefore As a responsible dog owner, don’t take your pup out when sick and also avoid meeting with other sick dogs.
Symptoms of cold in Dogs:
Many of the cold symptoms in dogs are same as in humans. Below are the common cold symptoms in puppies.
Important to note that: Maybe The above symptoms are due to cold in your pup, but these symptoms are also the indications of some other severe health issues. For example:
The best idea is to contact your vet immediately if you observe the symptoms plus change in the behavior or fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
These are the alarming signs that your puppy is suffering from some severe health problem and required urgent medical attention.
How To Treat A Dog With Cold?
We always never suggest self-medication. The best idea is to take it to a veterinarian.
The vet will physically examine your puppy and run a series of tests to ensure that as your dog is suffering from cold or other health issues.
Because other diseases also display similar symptoms. If your doggie has a mild cold it will resolve on its own however if he has some other infection like kennel cough and sneezing then your vet will do a proper treatment.
Because such conditions need a proper protocol like cough suppressants, antibiotics, fluids and even a hospital stay.
Also, follow the below-mentioned precaution in the treatment.
- Dogs often know themselves when they sick and naturally do for their rest.
- Rest is the most important factor of healing.
- Provide stuff for their comfort; provide them by giving it a warm blanket and soft bedding.
- Provide plenty of fresh-waters and balanced, soft diet to eat sufficient food for the required energy.
- Dab their nose and eyes gently with a soft piece of cloth when running.
- If you observe swollen face, Pekingese or pug. Then contact your vet as they are a sign of respiratory issues.
How to prevent your dog from the cold?
Remember that there are no vaccines for the common cold in pets and humans. With proper care and prevention, you can prevent your furry friend from cold.
However, you can give vaccines for kennel cold, canine influenza and distemper to prevent your dog from these severe diseases.
Conclusion:
Can dogs get human colds? The answer is No, Humans and dogs both can get colds, but the germs and virus responsible for the illness are different for both.
This is because the virus that causes human cold are not able to survive in the body of a puppy or other pet.
So, if you observe that your pup is more attached to you, you don’t need to separate them from you.
Remember that dogs can get cold from other dogs. Therefore As a responsible dog owner, don’t take your pup out when sick and also avoid to meet with other sick dogs.
FAQ:
Can human Colds be passed to dogs?
Dog colds are not contagious to humans. You can’t catch a cold from your dog, any more than your dog can pick up a human strain of a cold virus from you.
However, dog colds and influenza are highly contagious between dogs, which means we have to be careful not to help transmit the germs.
Why can’t dogs get human colds?
No, your pet can’t catch your cold. That’s because the viruses that cause the common cold in people are species-specific.
In other words, in the case of the cold, they can infect only humans.